HBO Co-Producing J.K. Rowling’s ‘The Casual Vacancy’ as a Miniseries with the BBC

HBO Co-Producing J.K. Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy' as a Miniseries with the BBC

J.K. Rowling’s magic is headed to TV. HBO and the BBC have teamed up to produce the “Harry Potter” author’s first novel aimed at adults, “The Casual Vacancy,” as a three-hour miniseries.

Sarah Phelps, a veteran of the BBC who’s written “EastEnders” and “Great Expectations,” adapted the novel and Jonny Campbell (“In the Flesh”) is attached to direct. Rowling will serve as executive producer along with Paul Trijbits (“Saving Mr. Banks”), Rick Senat, and her partner at Bronte Film and Television, Neil Blair. Ruth Kenley-Letts (“The Hour”) will produce.

Published by Little, Brown Book Group in 2012, “The Casual Vacancy” is a small town political drama set in a suburban town called Pagford. After the death of a parish councillor, an open seat on the council creates turmoil as citizens compete to fill the seat. The novel sets up battles between the rich and poor, old and young, and husbands and wives.

The BBC first optioned rights to the UK-native’s novel soon after publication.